2010 Day of Action to focus on flood relief and disaster

Posted: Thursday, June 17, 2010 9:06 pm

The United Way of West Tennessee has announced that the 2010 Day of Action will be focusing on helping those most recently affected by the massive flooding.  The efforts are to assist local food banks and the disaster recovery efforts taking place throughout West Tennessee.
The first 1,000 volunteers who register with the United Way of West Tennessee to collect food or supplies and who let us know about the project they are working on – will be given a free LIVE UNITED T-shirts.  Everyone is encouraged to get a group from work, church, school or from your neighborhood. Even if an individual wants to help, we are asking everyone register what they are doing to help. 
The United Way want to know what project you are working on.  The projects can be through a county’s Disaster Recovery Services, a group from a business, church or agency helping with a cleanup or even an individual who is helping a friend or neighbor.  The projects need to be focused on cleaning up homes and areas impacted by the latest disasters.
The food drives and the items collected for disaster recovery will assist local food banks and agencies working with emergency response and clean up.  Anyone doing drives are asked to drop off the items at a local food bank in their community or the United Way office on or before June 21st.   (Contact the United Way to find the closest food bank to you, at 2-1-1)  All those involved are also asked to register with the United Way and to keep track of the number of items and amount food collected. 
Suggested Food
Items Needed:
Canned Meat, pasta, spaghettios, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, tuna, rice, beans, chili, canned stew, canned soups, canned meals, jars of baby food and other non-perishable foods
Suggested Disaster Recovery Items (please new items only):
Five-gallon buckets, bug spray, cleaning supplies, his and her shaving cream, his and her razors, soap, shampoo, his and her deodorant, tooth brush, tooth paste, wash cloths, baby bottles, baby shampoo, Pampers, baby wipes, baby wash/soap, baby oil & lotion, coloring books and crayons
Various awards will be given out to the groups and people who work on this year’s Day of Action, including largest group, most food collected, most items collected, largest project, most unique project to name a few. 
“With the recent tornados and floods that devastated several of our communities, we felt we could be most effective by helping those recovering from these disasters,” stated Alan H. Turner II, President and CEO of the United Way of West Tennessee.  “The food and items collected along with the projects completed will help assist those families in need of the most help.”
Each year, United Ways across the country and across the state of Tennessee mobilize communities to advance the common good on the National Day of Action.  Held on June 21st – the longest day of the year – with more daylight hours than any other, the Day of Action is the perfect day and the perfect way to show what it means to LIVE UNITED.
United Way of West Tennessee is a local, volunteer-driven organization that helps strengthen the communities it serves by supporting programs that provide a positive impact on the community by focusing on the area of income, education, health and basic needs.  To learn how you can help, please contact United Way of West Tennessee at (731) 422-1816 or visit us on the web at www.unitedway.tn.org, and remember when we reach out a hand to one, we impact the condition of all.
GIVE. VOLUNTEER.  ADVOCATE.  LIVE UNITED!
Published in the Press 6-17-10